To understand the light, we usually judge it from the shadow. Because the light travels along a straight line, we have to see where the shadow is: we can know the height of the light level through the length of the shadow; The softness and hardness of the shadow can tell the light quality of the light source. When the position of the subject and the camera is determined, according to the angle formed between the projection direction of the light source and the camera, the light can be divided into forward light, front light, side light, rear light and reverse light; According to the position of the vertical plane where the light is located, it can be divided into top light, foot light, etc.

After entering the set, take a look at the lighting layout, feel the color language in the drama situation, the lighting color and the solid color of art objects to create the composition. According to the projection direction of the light source, the light can be divided into forward light, front light, side light, rear light and reverse light.

1. Smooth

When the light source is close to the camera height, on the same horizontal plane, and the ray projection direction is consistent with the camera direction, the light is smooth, also known as front light.

CIS illumination can make the subject receive light evenly, and its projection is blocked by itself and squeezed into slit lines, which is conducive to eliminating unnecessary projection. The wrinkles of the subject are also diluted (for example, when shooting older actresses with rough skin). Generally, astigmatism is used as front auxiliary lighting, or small spotlight is used to decorate the eyes, but it can also be used as main light to obtain soft modeling effect and better express the inherent color of the object. However, smoothing is not conducive to the performance of the subject's three-dimensional sense, texture and sense of space, making the picture appear flat without ups and downs (usually cooperating with the direct main light to brighten the details of the scene).

2. Sidelight

The light with an angle of about 45 degrees between the projection direction of the light source and the shooting direction of the camera is side smoothing.

When the subject is illuminated along the receiving side, there will be a shadow level of light dark transition, which is conducive to enhancing its three-dimensional sense. The scene illuminated by the side light will produce projection, which can enrich the picture composition when processed properly. Generally, direct light is used as the main light for processing characters from the side CIS light position, or it is used to modify the parts of the scene or characters. It is the light method for the standard portrait of people.

3. Side light

When the projection direction of the light source is about 90 degrees from the shooting direction of the camera, the light is side light (also known as full side light). Using full side light illumination will make the light and shade contrast of the picture obvious and the contrast is large. It lacks the delicate tone level of light and shade transition. It is not used to represent the normal portrait according to the Convention, but it can be used to create some specific light effects and create a specific light atmosphere when necessary.

4. Side backlight

The light whose projection direction of the light source is about 135 degrees from the shooting direction of the camera is the side backlight. The use of side backlight lighting can better outline the scene, and its front dark part has a large area to form a special atmosphere, which is also conducive to the performance of multi-level scenes.

And atmospheric perspective. When representing characters, it is usually necessary to add appropriate front auxiliary light. If the backlight is used as the main light, the auxiliary light shall not exceed its brightness, otherwise false artificial traces will be caused.

Compared with the use of light in painting, the use of side backlight is a unique means of expression in cinematography. There is a famous saying: "what is a movie? A movie is a side backlight. " Although exaggerated, it also shows the light use characteristics of the film.

5. Backlight

When the projection direction of the light source is about 180 degrees from the shooting direction of the camera, the light is backlight. It can outline the scene, separate the subject from the background, and is suitable for multi-layer scene, atmospheric perspective and spatial depth. When shooting a portrait of a person, the outline can be modified by backlight. In order to achieve a specific artistic effect, scattered light lighting with different brightness can be assisted on the front, so as to produce different light and dark contrast relations in the picture, resulting in different effects such as silhouette and semi silhouette of the scene or person. Now, due to the improvement of film sensitivity, tolerance and other technical performance, it can accommodate more and more dark layers. When people's face is in the case of weak light, it can also show the texture and tone level of skin. Therefore, combined with the needs of content, taking a portrait (close-up or close-up) with backlight as the main light can obtain a more vivid and natural screen image.

From the vertical plane, the light source position can be divided into top light and foot light.

6. Top light

The light projected from above the subject is the top light. Under the top light illumination, the horizontal plane of the subject is brighter than the vertical plane, which often forms a large light dark contrast, resulting in the lack of hierarchy in the picture (such as the top light at noon in summer). When shooting close-up or close-up of characters, the eye sockets will sink and the cheekbones will protrude. It is usually used to vilify characters to cause abnormal feelings. When there are no specific modeling requirements, it is generally necessary to avoid using top light to shoot portraits. Shooting portraits with top light is mostly to show the specific light effect of specific content or set off some special atmosphere. Top light is divided into front top light (along top light), top light and rear top light (reverse top light). The effect of reverse top light is close to that of reverse light.

7. Foot light

The light projected from below the subject is foot light. When the foot light irradiates the subject, it also makes the picture form a special modeling effect and gives the audience an abnormal feeling, so it is also mostly used to express the specific light effect in specific content, such as oil lamp, stove fire, candle light, etc; Or render a special atmosphere, such as a terrible and thrilling atmosphere, or to vilify a character. Foot light can also be used as decoration light to decorate people's eyes, clothes, hair, etc. It can also be divided into front foot light (along foot light) and rear foot light (against foot light). When shooting glassware (wine utensils, transparent cosmetics, etc.) and water pools, foot light can enhance the three-dimensional and spatial sense of the subject. Side light, side backlight and backlight can cause long projection. If they are well used, they can enrich the picture composition, create the light form of silhouette and semi silhouette, enhance the beauty, horror and mystery of the picture, render the artistic atmosphere and shape specific modeling effects.

Article source: Jiangmen film and television production http://www.sjttv.com